ANNEX IU.K. Responsibilities and tasks of the EU reference laboratory for rabies, additional to those laid down in Article 32(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004

1.The EU reference laboratory for rabies shall coordinate, in consultation with the Commission, the methods employed in the Member States for diagnosing rabies, in particular by:U.K.

(a)

typing, storing and supplying strains of rabies virus;

(b)

preparing, controlling and supplying international standard sera and other reference reagents to the national reference laboratories in order to standardise the tests and reagents used in the Member States;

(c)

validating reference reagents including antigens and national standard sera submitted by the national reference laboratories;

(d)

building up and maintaining a sera bank and a collection of rabies virus, and maintaining a database of strains isolated across the Union, including typing;

(e)

organising periodical comparative tests of diagnostic procedures at Union level and operating laboratory proficiency tests of national reference laboratories;

(f)

collecting and collating data and information on the methods of diagnosis used and the results of tests carried out in the Union;

(g)

characterising rabies virus by the most up-to-date methods available to allow a greater understanding of the epidemiology of that disease;

(h)

keeping abreast of developments in rabies surveillance, epidemiology and prevention throughout the world;

(i)

acquiring a thorough knowledge of the preparation and use of the products of veterinary immunology used to eradicate and control rabies including the evaluation of vaccines.

2.The EU reference laboratory for rabies shall also:U.K.

(a)

facilitate the harmonisation of techniques throughout the Union, in particular by specifying standard test methodologies;

(b)

organise workshops for the benefit of national reference laboratories as agreed in the work programme and estimated budget referred to in Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 926/2011(1), including training of experts from the Member States and, as appropriate, from third countries, in new analytical methodologies;

(c)

provide technical assistance to the Commission and, upon its request, participate in international forums relating to rabies, concerning in particular the standardisation of analytical diagnostic methods and their implementation.

3.In addition, the EU reference laboratory for rabies shall perform research activities and, whenever possible, coordinate research activities directed towards the improved control and eradication of rabies, in particular by:U.K.

(a)

carrying out or collaborating with national reference laboratories in carrying out test validation trials;

(b)

providing scientific advice to the Commission and collecting information and reports associated with the activities of the EU reference laboratory.